1. You're preggers.
This is due to a) the vein around the anus being constricted by the weight of the kid (and thus, varicosities on that), and b) your liver working to clear up the blood of 2 (and thus the blood in that vein is very very thick: more varicosities).

2. You have one or the other food sensitivity.
This causes portal vein congestion, which leads to very thick blood in the vein around the anus, and thus varicosities there.

3. You're a bicyclist.
Boy, do you ever have hemorrhoids... because the blood just doesn't circulate, in that same vein. Varicosities again.

4. You're a coach potato.
Your colon walls are rather loose, and if you strain when going potty you're going to push some of that out. Push it back in, do Kegels (a bit further back than usual), and go for a walk now and then - a bit longer than between fridge and sofa, please. You can do astringent herbs, if you so like, but it's likely that they won't do all that much for you.

5. You live for sports.
When somebody asks you how many pushups you did this morning, you ask "left or right handed?" ... all your muscles are tight, including those around the colon. Relax a bit, and do relaxing and soothing herbs as well.

For the varicosities folks: lymphatics may help some. Going for a 30 minute walk 2-3 times a week may help some. Doing vein herbs (Crataegus, garlic etc.) may help some. Hemorrhoid or varicosity creams (like Aesculus, or pretty much any astringent such as Hamamelis) may help some.

But if you have a surefire help for the varicosities of pregnant ladies, do let me know about it, too.

I have a tried and true solution for the relief and ultimate elimination of hemorrhoids that was told to me by an 86 year old friend of mine who had suffered for 20+ years..He told me that soaking cotton balls in clorox bleach and applying them to the culprits for five or so minutes 3 times a day for five to seven days will get rid of the hemorroids...I admit that the thought of putting bleach "there" was rather scarey however, I tried it and they disappeared and have not returned for over two years!..so maybe the old guy knew what he was talking about!..Yes, the process does burn a little but after about the second day, I noticed that the swelling had gone down quite a bit and by the fourth day, the "roids" were no where to be found..

Henriette, I can assure you that I am not a "CRACKPOT", as you so eloquently stated..I know this idea does sound a little strange, but you'll have to trust me that it does work..For those who may be a little nervous about applying clorox in such a senitive area, I would suggest they may dilute the mixture with water to a 50% strength..Also, it may be advisable to apply a little DESITIN cream to the area after the application..Desitin which is used a lot for the treatment of diaper rash, is also a great medication for itchy "roids"..It works great, and it does not stain clothing...Anyway, I do hope somebody tries this remedy that I have described, and as I stated, this does burn a little, however, the sensation does not last that long and I feel that it is better to have a little short term discomfort than to suffer constantly from the usual pain and itch that we get from "ROIDS"...David

Great blog! I love that you tackle such a sensitive subject because hemorrhoids should be talked about openly. I just posted a blog about my hemorrhoid’s issues when I was in my early twenties. Check it out if you have the chance. Keep up the good work.
Karl Staib

Help!! I am a stay at home mon and I suffer from painful hemorhoids due to heavy partying when I was younger--the whole routine of drink drug be merry, etc.. AND I believe that is why I suffer from such painful flareups. I have tried everything under the mon (pun intended) and get varying results, but my question is: is their a sure fire herbal remedy or anal suppository I can use? What would you recomen, and where can I get it?
ANY and all help for my aching--- will be appreciated!!